The Definitive Guide on Ford Trucks, Ram Trucks, GMC Trucks, and More!

Which Issues With American Trucks Happen Over & Over?

If there’s one thing American car manufacturers definitely know how to make, it’s a good pickup truck. Large vehicles dominate the American car market, and companies like Ford have noticed which vehicles sell well. Today, the top three most popular cars sold in America that are made by American manufacturers are ALL pickups: Ford F-150s, Chevy Silverados and Rams.

However, popularity isn’t synonymous with perfection. If you’re driving one of these popular pickups, beware of the problems most commonly reported in these types of vehicles. The list below goes over issues found most frequently in American pickup trucks. Find out how much it costs to fix common problems and what you can do about them.

Transmission Problems

Many of the most popular recent models of American pickup trucks have transmission problems, ranging from difficulties shifting gear to complete failure.

For example, transmission failure was widely reported in the 2001 Chevy Silverado, the 2005 Chevy Silverado, the 2005 Ford F-150 and the 2010 Ford F-150. Transmission failure requires a complete replacement of the transmission, which can typically cost anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000. The 2010 Ford F-150 also has a problem with the transmission shuddering and slipping, and vibrating while driving.

Other trucks have had difficulty with hard shifts between gears. For instance, the 2015 Chevy Silverado received numerous complaints that its transmission shifts poorly. In some cases, drivers replaced the entire transmission anyway. Similar complaints were also made for the 2013 and 2015 Ford F-150s.

Owners of the 2017 GMC Sierra report that it shifts hard out of first gear. Those with a 2015 GMC Sierra say that the transmission hesitates when driving, and no potential cause has been identified. Those with a 2017 Chevy Silverado say their vehicle surges and jerks while driving, which can create a driving hazard on the road.

Engine Problems

If there’s anything wrong with having something wrong with your transmission, it’s having something wrong with your engine. Unfortunately, engine problems show up across car and model types and years.

For instance, the 2017 GMC Sierra runs rough, according to multiple complaints from drivers. However, nothing else appears to be wrong with it. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for other pickup trucks with engine problems.

For instance, the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 has a massive problem with oil sludge buildup and general engine failure. In some cases, the engine has reached the end of its operating life. However, in others the engine failed prematurely and even without warning.

The 2007 Chevy Silverado engine consumes far too much oil, requiring constant oil refills. Meanwhile, the Ford F-150 engine maintains numerous problems across the years.

For instance, in 2004 the spark plugs would break off frequently. By 2010, drivers would face an engine that could stall and die unexpectedly while driving. This problem would unfortunately last until at least 2016 in the F-150.

Should You Sell A Pickup Truck With Problems?

If you find yourself making trips to the mechanic on a regular basis, it might be time to part with your pickup truck. After all, frequent repairs will add up fast.

If your vehicle is in relatively good shape, has maintained its value and has not required multiple repairs, fixing it when it develops a problem is a good idea. However, if your vehicle has lost a good portion of its value and has problems frequently, you might be sinking money into a pit.

A good rule of thumb: if the cost of repairing your vehicle equals 50 percent or more of the value of the car, it might be a good idea to sell it rather than try to repair it again.

There are plenty of places you can sell a pickup truck with problems. For instance, you can trade it in to a dealership, sell it to a private individual, sell it to a junkyard or sell it to an online buyer. The best option for you depends on your timeline and goals.

Why Sell Your Truck To CarBrain?

CarBrain has been the market for less-than-perfect cars for over a decade. We know how to determine the fair market value for a vehicle in any condition. With our service, you can get a quote for your vehicle in under 90 seconds. If you like our offer, we can help you schedule a pickup and get paid in under 48 business hours.

All CarBrain offers include FREE towing and FREE title transfer. There are never any hidden fees or charges for using our service. Additionally, our offers are guaranteed for seven days, giving you time to think it over.

CarBrain is the safe, modern and easy way to sell a damaged car fast. All it takes it a few clicks, and you’ll be paid on the spot. Why wait? Get an offer from CarBrain and find out how much you can get today.

How To Sell A Truck To CarBrain

Selling a damaged truck online with CarBrain is simple. All you have to do is:

1. Click “get an offer.”

2. Fill out the form.

3. Get your quote!

You can get a guaranteed offer fast by uploading photos of your damaged vehicle as well as its Vehicle Identification Number. If you like our quote, our associate buyers can help you schedule your free pickup at a time that’s convenient for you.

Once your pickup time is scheduled, all you have to do is wait. The tow truck driver will arrive with a check in hand. Once you sign the title and hand over the keys, you’ll be paid on the spot — it’s that easy!